Steak Garlic Rice Recipe

Introduction

Steak Garlic Rice is a savory and satisfying dish that combines tender, well-seasoned steak with fragrant garlic-infused rice. Perfect for a hearty meal, it offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors that come together beautifully on the plate.

Ingredients

• 8 oz sirloin flap steak (or ribeye; ½ inch thick; trimmed of fat)
• ⅛ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
• ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 4 tsp Homemade Smoked Soy Sauce (or substitute with soy sauce mixed with ¼ tsp liquid smoke)
• 2 Tbsp mentsuyu (concentrated noodle soup base)
• 1 clove garlic (pressed)
• 1 Tbsp neutral oil (for searing the steak)
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (for cooking the garlic)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced for the rice)
• 2 servings cooked Japanese short-grain rice (cooled; preferably day-old)
• 2 tsp mentsuyu (for the rice)
• ⅛ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt (for the rice)
• ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper (for the rice)
• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter (for reheating the rice)
• 1 Tbsp finely chopped green onion/scallion
• 1 Tbsp fried garlic chips (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring refrigerated day-old rice or frozen rice to room temperature. If you don’t have day-old rice, cook Japanese short-grain rice as usual, then spread it out on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool evenly.
2. Step 2: Lightly season both sides of the steak with ⅛ tsp kosher salt and ⅛ tsp black pepper. Let it rest on the countertop for 20–30 minutes to reach room temperature.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, mix 4 tsp homemade smoked soy sauce, 2 Tbsp mentsuyu, and 1 pressed garlic clove to make the steak sauce. Set aside.
4. Step 4: Mince 2 cloves garlic for the rice. Place the cooled rice in a large bowl.
5. Step 5: Heat 2 Tbsp unsalted butter in a pan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes until fragrant but not burnt. Transfer garlic butter to the rice bowl.
6. Step 6: Add 2 tsp mentsuyu, ⅛ tsp kosher salt, and ⅛ tsp pepper to the rice. Toss gently to combine and set aside.
7. Step 7: Heat a heavy skillet or carbon steel pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tbsp neutral oil, then sear the steak for 3–4 minutes per side until medium rare (internal temperature about 130℉ / 54.4℃). Use a grill press if available for even searing.
8. Step 8: Remove the steak, wrap in foil, and let rest for 2–3 minutes. While resting, cut the steak into ½-inch strips, then dice those strips into cubes. Toss the diced steak with the prepared steak sauce.
9. Step 9: In another pan, melt 1 Tbsp butter over medium heat. Add the prepared rice and stir-fry to heat through. Then spread the rice evenly and let it crisp on the bottom without stirring.
10. Step 10: Once the rice is crispy, remove from heat. Top the rice with the sauced diced steak, drizzle any remaining sauce, sprinkle with chopped green onions, and finish with crushed fried garlic chips.
11. Step 11: Serve directly from the pan or portion onto plates. Enjoy immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Bring the steak to room temperature before cooking to ensure even medium-rare doneness.
• If you can’t find mentsuyu, a mixture of soy sauce and a bit of dashi stock can be a substitute.
• Use day-old rice for better texture and easier crisping; freshly cooked rice can be cooled as described.
• For extra flavor, try adding a dash of chili oil or sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Storage

Store leftover Steak Garlic Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to a month. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to preserve the crispy texture, adding a splash of water or broth if the rice feels dry.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other cuts of steak?

Yes, ribeye or other tender cuts work well. Just make sure the steak is about ½ inch thick for even cooking.

What if I don’t have homemade smoked soy sauce?

You can substitute by mixing regular soy sauce with about ¼ teaspoon of liquid smoke or purchase ready-made smoked soy sauce online.

Steak Garlic Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 143 reviews

This Steak Garlic Rice recipe combines tender, medium-rare sirloin flap steak with fragrant garlic-infused Japanese short-grain rice. The steak is seasoned and marinated with a smoky soy sauce blend, then seared to perfection and diced before being tossed with the aromatic garlic butter rice, topped with green onions and crispy fried garlic chips. The dish is a delightful umami-rich meal perfect for a comforting dinner served straight from the pan.

• Author: Lily
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Japanese-inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Steak

• 8 oz sirloin flap steak (or ribeye; ½ inch thick; trimmed of fat)
• ⅛ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
• ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 4 tsp Homemade Smoked Soy Sauce (or substitute with ¼ tsp liquid smoke mixed into 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce)
• 2 Tbsp mentsuyu (concentrated noodle soup base)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp neutral oil (for searing the steak)

For the Garlic Rice

• 2 servings cooked Japanese short-grain rice (preferably day-old and cooled)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (for cooking garlic)
• 2 tsp mentsuyu (concentrated noodle soup base)
• ⅛ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
• ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter (for reheating the rice)
• 1 Tbsp finely chopped green onion/scallion
• 1 Tbsp fried garlic chips

Instructions

1. Bring Rice to Room Temperature: Take refrigerated day-old or frozen cooked rice and allow it to come to room temperature. If you do not have pre-cooked rice, prepare 1½ rice cooker cups of Japanese short-grain rice, spread it evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and let it cool at room temperature.
2. Prepare Steak Seasoning: Lightly season both sides of the sirloin flap steak with ⅛ tsp kosher salt and ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper. Let it sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
3. Make Steak Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine 4 tsp homemade smoked soy sauce, 2 Tbsp mentsuyu, and 1 clove garlic pressed or minced. Mix well and set aside.
4. Prepare Garlic Rice Ingredients: Mince 2 cloves garlic. Transfer the cooked rice into a large mixing bowl.
5. Cook Garlic in Butter: Heat a pan over medium-low heat. Add 2 Tbsp unsalted butter and the minced garlic; cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. When garlic is fragrant, remove from heat and add garlic butter to the rice bowl.
6. Season Rice: Add 2 tsp mentsuyu, ⅛ tsp kosher salt, and ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper to the rice and gently toss to combine. Set aside.
7. Sear the Steak: Heat a carbon steel or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tbsp neutral oil and spread evenly. Place the steak in the pan and sear for 3–4 minutes on the first side using a grill press to ensure even contact. Flip and sear the other side for about 3 minutes until internal temperature reaches 130℉ (54.4℃) for medium-rare.
8. Rest the Steak: Remove steak and wrap in aluminum foil. Let rest for 2–3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and to finish cooking to medium-rare.
9. Cook the Garlic Rice: While the steak sears, heat another pan over medium heat and melt 1 Tbsp unsalted butter. Add the prepared rice and stir-fry, tossing frequently until heated through. Then spread the rice evenly and let it crisp undisturbed on the bottom for a golden texture, adjusting heat as necessary to avoid burning.
10. Dice and Toss Steak: Cut the rested steak into ½ inch strips, then dice into ½ inch cubes. Toss the steak cubes in the prepared steak sauce to coat evenly.
11. Assemble the Dish: When the rice is crispy, remove pan from heat. Neatly place the diced steak on top of the garlic rice. Drizzle any remaining steak sauce over the rice. Sprinkle finely chopped green onions and crushed fried garlic chips on top for garnish and texture.
12. Serve: Serve the Steak Garlic Rice directly in the pan for a rustic presentation or portion onto individual plates. Enjoy immediately.
13. Store Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to one month.

Notes

• Bringing the steak to room temperature before cooking helps achieve a perfect medium-rare doneness.
• Day-old rice is preferred for better texture and crispiness when stir-frying.
• Use a cast iron grill press to ensure even searing and beautiful grill marks on the steak.
• When crisping the rice, do not stir; this allows a nice crust to form on the bottom.
• If you don’t have homemade smoked soy sauce, add liquid smoke to regular soy sauce for similar smoky flavor.
• Fried garlic chips add an extra layer of crunch and aroma; they can be store-bought or homemade.
• Use carbon steel or cast iron pans for even heat distribution and best searing results.

Keywords: steak garlic rice, Japanese garlic rice, seared steak recipe, garlic butter rice, mentsuyu recipe, smoky soy sauce steak